Pahalgam Terror Attack: India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty, Closes Attari Border in Strong Response
New Delhi – In a significant move following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 28 people, mostly tourists, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced a series of tough measures targeting Pakistan.
At the high-level meeting, the CCS reviewed the national security situation and took five major decisions aimed at exerting diplomatic and strategic pressure on Pakistan. The most notable among them is the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which will remain in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly renounces support for cross-border terrorism.
In a further escalation, the Attari Integrated Checkpost will be closed immediately. Individuals who have crossed over with valid endorsements will be allowed to return through the same route until May 1, 2025.
The government also withdrew SAARC visa exemption privileges for Pakistani nationals. All SPES visas issued earlier have been cancelled, and Pakistani citizens currently in India under these visas have been instructed to leave the country within 48 hours.
Diplomatic ties are also being curtailed. The Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors posted at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and must leave India within a week. Similarly, India will withdraw its own Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad, with these posts now deemed annulled.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misry, addressing the media, stated:
“The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror or conspired to make them possible.”
Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack and assured a “loud and clear” response from the government.
“We will hunt down not only those who carried out the ghastly attack but also those who orchestrated it from behind the scenes,” he said.
The government’s swift and stern response signals a hardening stance and a renewed focus on national security following the tragic incident.
